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Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Top Ten Tips for Applying to Graduate School

Written by a successful graduate student- Kristen
Frese, Career Advisor for University Career Center @ BSOS!

Many BSOS majors pursue an advanced degree in their field
upon graduation. Graduate school can be a great opportunity that can sometimes expand
career possibilities, but it is also a big investment of time, hard work, and
money! If you’re considering a graduate degree, stay tuned for our 10tips for applying to graduate school, posted every
Tuesday, and check out our timeline
for applying to graduate school to stay on track!

There are different types of
graduate school that you can consider, depending on your career aspirations and
which skills you hope to obtain. Below, you’ll find a brief descriptions of degree
options.

·Master’s programs are typically 2-3 years and
are usually more focused on applied education. While some research is required
(such as a thesis), there will be less emphasis on designing and conducting
research than in a PhD program.

·PhD programs are about 4-7 years and focus more
on research and academia. This is the highest degree attainable in most fields.
PhD programs are more likely to offer
funding. Keep an eye out for Tip 8!

·Professional degrees, such as the Doctorate of
Medicine and the Juris Doctorate, take 2-5 years to obtain and focus on the
application of specific skills.

The University
Career Center meets with students individually to discuss
strategies for choosing, applying to, and evaluating graduate school
offers.

Locate
UMD alumni who are willing to share their graduate school experiences with
you and offer tips regarding a variety of advanced degrees in the UMD
Alumni Advisor Network.

1. Is grad school
right for you?

Graduate programs can range from one to seven years, so make
sure that grad school is the right choice for you. Sometimes, students find it
most beneficial to go directly from undergrad, while others take a few years
off, gain work experience, and apply later on.

Consider the following questions to help determine if grad school is
right for you.

·Does your dream position require a graduate
degree? Check out the Occupational
Outlook Handbook for more information on education requirements for
particular job titles!

-You know that your career field requires a
masters or PhD (i.e. hearing and speech areas, counseling, therapy, medical
fields, etc.) AND you are certain that field is for you!

-You have unlimited financial funds, or know that
there are available funding opportunities for your program, and you want to
continue learning (kudos to you!).

·Are you prepared to apply this year? Many
graduate programs have December 1st deadlines, which means you’ll have to take
any required tests (i.e. GRE, LSAT, MCAT),
request transcripts,
complete applications, etc. by this date. Look at this timeline
to see if you are on track!